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Range: The coyote (Canis latrans, meaning “barking dog”) is native to North America and found from Alaska to Panama. The coyote is one of the few medium-to-large-sized animals that has enlarged its range since human encroachment began. It originally ranged primarily in the western half of North America, but it has adapted readily to the changes caused by human occupation and, since the early 19th century, has been steadily extending its range. Sightings now commonly occur in California, Oregon, New England, and eastern Canada. Coyotes have moved into most of the areas of North America formerly occupied by wolves, and are often observed foraging in suburban trashcans.

Anatomy: The coyote stands less than 2 ft tall and varies in color from white-gray to tan with sometimes a reddish tint to its coat. A coyote’s ears and nose appear long and pointed, especially in relation to the size of its head. It weighs between 20 and 50 pounds, averaging 31 pounds. The coyote can be identified by its thick, bushy tail, which it often holds low to the ground. The coyote is an extremely lean animal and may appear underfed even if healthy. During pursuit, a coyote may reach speeds up to 43 mph. Coyotes live an average of 6 to 10 years.

Behavior: Coyotes were once essentially diurnal, but have adapted to more nocturnal behavior with pressure from humans. They are adaptable and live in a variety of different niches. Their behavior can vary widely depending on where they live, but in general they live in packs yet hunt singly in search of small mammals including rabbits, mice, shrews, voles, squirrels, grouse, carrion, insects and sometimes sheep, and fish. In areas where coyotes and deer co-exist, an adult coyote will typically prey on one fawn per year. The majority of deer found in coyote scats comes from carrion, such as road-killed and hunter-killed deer or victims of starvation or disease. The coyote is an omnivore and adapts its diet to the available food sources including fruits, grasses, and vegetables along with small mammals and even trash. Coyote are preyed upon by wolves, bear, and cougar. Coyotes, in turn, compete with smaller canids, such as foxes and sometimes domestic dogs, and will attack these when they encounter them.

Breeding: Coyotes breed in late January or early February, depending on altitude. Gestation lasts on average 63 days, and litters of four to six pups are born in late April or early May. Both parents (and often undispersed young from the previous year) help to feed the pups. At three weeks old the pups leave the den under close watch of their parents. Once the pups are eight to twelve weeks old they are taught to hunt. Families stay together through the summer but the young disperse to find their own territories by fall. They usually relocate within ten miles. The young are sexually mature at 1 year of age, although few breed this young.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article “Coyote”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/coyote